Howard County Executive Calvin Ball yesterday pre-filed legislation to create a Police Accountability Board.
The board would receive complaints regarding police misconduct and partner with the Howard County Police Department and Howard County Sheriff’s office.
It would be comprised of five members, to be appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by County Council.
“Focusing on public safety and reinforcing public trust remains a priority of my administration, and this Police Accountability Board is a critical component to ensure transparency,” Ball said in a statement.
“This Board is an important tool to engage our residents in matters of policing and adds another layer of accountability,” he said.
The board would also include two non-voting members who are designees of the Chief of Police and the Sheriff.
Board members must be Howard County residents who are at least 25 years old. They must also have some familiarity with criminal justice, government agencies, or community service organizations.
Police officers, county or sheriff employees, and convicted felons are prohibited from serving on the board, the bill states.
The board would have quarterly meetings with heads of law enforcement agencies to improve matters of policing.
It would also have to submit an annual report that identifies any trends in disciplinary action against law enforcement and makes policy recommendations to improve police accountability.
The proposed budget for the board would be included in the county’s annual budget.
“Building a strong relationship between law enforcement and the community that we serve is vital,” Sheriff Marcus Harris said in a statement.
“The Police Accountability Board will help build this relationship by holding our deputies responsible and providing the level of transparency that the community deserves,” he said.
